plus an essay i wrote for my comp class about Will’s performance that got suggested for a contest by my professor ill link in the comments!!
(video is a very rough attempt at a simple piece ive been learning, someone take the sustain pedal away)
i have cerebral palsy which paralyzes my right hand and i also was just diagnosed with ADHD last year, and being medicated now i realize how much the latter was the obstacle of me committing to piano rather than physical.
a year ago, i started toying around with my keyboard after getting medicated at the age of twenty, and upon getting enrolled in community college i got connected with this younger piano teacher who leads a group class on campus and also just recently got diagnosed with ADHD himself. he’s been kind enough to work with me for an extra hour one on one weekly and has been very flexible with the paths i wish to take while also providing examples of classical pieces that match the style of whatever newer pieces i already enjoy.
ive learned to find joy in every small bit of progress, however when it comes to comparing to beforehand where i joined others in wondering “is now too late?” or posting on reddit if it’s worth learning with one hand, I’m now finding joy in each goal i accomplish week by week and have hope that with enough time piano will become an extension of my desire to express myself creatively and emotionally.
since middle school i sat in awe of pianist/performers like Tim Minchin and it’s so sweet to look back on the songs that thirteen year old me were obsessed with and instead of shame, now able to pick up certain techniques used and the actual difficulty of pieces.
occasionally ive had older adults through childhood be amazed at how quickly i type, and i always wondered if that could translate to moving around different octaves and while i spent the first year taking that question too literally until my teacher teased me for playing with my fingers and not my wrist, i feel ever slightly closer when the muscle memory allows certain jumps to become fluid and getting to slap the face of anyone who says they wish they could play piano :p